Scott County
MO · Pop. 37,967 · Suburban County
Scott County sits in Missouri across 420 square miles, home to 37,967 people at 90.4 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on soybeans, corn, wheat. The median home price is $144,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.65%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 225-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.2°F and average winter lows of 29.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 49.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Missouri Delta Medical Center is 10.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 225-day growing season in USDA zone 7a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.65% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $144,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 96% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Missouri Delta Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 10.9 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- Flood risk is high, so low-lying parcels deserve careful evaluation before purchase.
At a glance
Scott County, MO is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 80/100
- Median home price
- $144k
- Property tax
- 0.65%
- Growing season
- 225 days (zone 7a)
- Annual rainfall
- 49.3"
- Broadband
- 96%
- Nearest hospital
- Missouri Delta Medical Center, 10.9 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Scott County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Scott County?
- Scott County is in USDA hardiness zone 7a with a 225-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.2°F, and average winter lows of 29.7°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $144,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.65%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Missouri Delta Medical Center is 10.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Missouri Resources
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More counties in Missouri
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The closest counties to Scott County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.